Grounds of Natural Philosophy: Divided into Thirteen Parts: The Second Edition, much altered from the First, which went under the Name of Philosophical and Physical OpinionsNewcastle, Margaret Cavendish, Duchess of
Philosophy
Grounds of Natural Philosophy: Divided into Thirteen Parts: The Second Edition, much altered from the First, which went under the Name of Philosophical and Physical Opinions
Newcastle, Margaret Cavendish, Duchess of
Physics -- Early works to 1800
As for the Rational parts of the Human Organs, they move according to
the Sensitive parts, which is, to move according to the Figures of
Foreign Objects; and their actions are (if Regular) at the same point
of time, with the Sensitive: but, though their Actions are alike, yet
there is a difference in their Degree; for, the figure of an Object in
the Mind, is far more pure than the figure in the Sense. But, to prove
that the Rational (if Regular) moves with the Sense, is, That all the
several Sensitive perceptions of the Sensitive Organs, (as all the
several Sights, Sounds, Scents, Tasts, and Touches) are thoughts of the
same.
CHAP. XI. Of the difference between the Human Conception, and
Perception.
There are some differences between Perception, and Conception: for,
Perception doth properly belong to present Objects; whereas Conceptions
have no such strict dependency: But, Conceptions are not proper
to the Sensitive Organs, or parts of a Human Creature; wherefore,
the Sensitive never move in the manner of Conception, but after an
irregular manner; as when a Human Creature is in some violent Passion,
Mad, Weak, or the like Distempers. But this is to be noted, That all
sorts of Fancies, Imaginations, _&c._ whether Sensitive, or Rational,
are after the manner of Conceptions, that is, do move by Rote, and not
by Example. Also, it is to be noted, That the Rational parts can move
in more various Figurative Actions than the Sensitive; which is the
cause that a Human Creature hath more Conceptions than Perceptions; so
that the Mind can please it self with more variety of Thoughts than
the Sensitive with variety of Objects: for variety of Objects consists
of Foreign Parts; whereas variety of Conceptions consists only of
their own Parts: Also, the Sensitive Parts are sooner satisfied with
the perception of particular Objects, than the Mind with particular
Remembrances.
CHAP. XII. Of the Several Varieties of Actions of Human Creatures.
To speak of all the Several Actions of the Sensitive and Rational
parts of one Creature, is not possible, being numberless: but, some
of those that are most notable, I will mention, as, Respirations,
Digestions, Nourishments, Appetites, Satiety, Aversions, Conceptions,
Opinions, Fancies, Passions, Memory, Remembrance, Reasoning, Examining,
Considering, Observing, Distinguishing, Contriving, Arguing, Approving,
Disapproving, Discoveries, Arts, Sciences. The Exterior Actions are,
Walking, Running, Dancing, Turning, Tumbling, Bearing, Carrying,
Holding, Striking, Trembling, Sighing, Groaning, Weeping, Frowning,
Laughing, Speaking, Singing and Whistling: As for Postures, they cannot
be well described; only, Standing, Sitting, and Lying.
CHAP. XIII. Of the manner of Information between the Rational and
Sensitive Parts.
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